Mrs Rivers moved in a day to the engagement. She came amid Asia's protest. She wanted to ensure Asia was acting right since Violet had slipped and so far nobody knew whom she had been seeing.
Asia wouldn't make that mistake or Mrs Rivers would have to say goodbye to the great life she was used to.
Mrs Rivers made dinner, much as Asia could move around better. Asia went to her room and looked at the dress that had been delivered for her. Nobody had consulted her.
That must have been Mrs Mara who picked the dress. She was a lady of iron, short beautiful and firm. She had David's high walls and Gabriel's dimples. But she liked Asia. Mrs Rivers had told Asia and asked her to stay in her soon-to-be mother-in-law's good graces.
The event would be a big deal and Asia, being the centre of it, had to look the part. She had a visit to the spa scheduled for the next morning by Mrs Mara. Her life was changing a little too fast.
While she chatted with her mother after dinner, Gabriel called so she excused herself and left for bed. His deep voice was ever so soothing and she enjoyed listening to him talk. He asked how she was. He could ask the mother to take a step back if she wanted.
"Everyone is excited about this," she told Gabriel.
"I am most excited, beautiful. I will leave this job and have more time for family." Gabriel said in that romantic voice.
"I am nervous about tomorrow," Asia said.
"I understand. I don't know why they would invite five hundred people." Gabriel chuckled.
"Those are a lot. I can imagine the wedding," Asia said, smiled.
"I think of the honeymoon every night. I will kiss you tomorrow," Gabriel said as Asia giggled.
The following day was a busy one. The party would be there that evening. Kevin would attend with a date. Both families and their friends would be there.
Asia had her make up done by experts sent by Mrs Mara. She marvelled at it all, got dressed and looked amazing. Her dress was netted for the most part. It clung on her skin leaving nothing to the imagination. Her back was left bare, exaggerating her bum.
Her hair was tied on high in a bun. This made the diamond earrings stand out. Gabriel had sent her shoes, designer by Versace. They were high heeled but very light and comfortable. She could walk in them effortlessly.
Asia looked herself in the mirror and smiled. Gabriel would like that. She looked different in a good way. This was but the beginning .
Asia and the mother got to the venue of the party a few minutes to 9 PM. It was a five star hotel tucked in the leafy suburbs of the city. There was full media presence. As she stepped down, her dress was adjusted.
Mrs Rivers held Asia's hand and in they went. The mother was proud of her daughter. But Asia knew that was not enough. She would offer her mother her soul and it still wouldn't be enough. Mrs Rivers wanted Violet to have it all, not Asia.
Yet they walked together, smiling, hand in hand. They were in soon enough. People moved and paved way till they saw Gabriel. He was with the father, both with champagne in hand.
Gabriel quickly handed the father his and walked towards Asia. He pulled her into his arms for an embrace.
"You look amazing, Asia," Gabriel whispered, his hands on her naked back.
"Thank you. You look great yourself," Asia whispered.
"I want us to spend the night at my home, share a bed and more. Please say yes," he moved back and held her chin. She smiled demurely.
"I would love that," she whispered.
Gabriel went on one knee. He held Asia's delicate hand and looked at her well-manicured nails then looked up at her. He took a ring out of his pocket and smiled, looked up at her. His friends were there. People gathered round. Asia looked down at him. He wore a navy blue suit, white shirt and black tie, black brogues. He looked a little more handsome than she could remember. She smiled down at him.
"Asia Rivers, will you marry me?" Gabriel looked into those big brown eyes.
"Yes, Gabriel, I will marry you," she said, barely audibly.
There were cheers as the couple smiled at each other. Once Asia wore the ring, she pulled Gabriel up and embraced him, held on to him, enjoyed the embrace and that mild cologne.
Gabriel whispered, said he would kiss her. She giggled and opened her eyes. Why was Violet there? Where was David? She took a step back. The night was still young. There would be time to kiss.
Gabriel looked Asia in the eye and restrained himself. If only this was the wedding. But had she not agreed to spend the night with him? He would feed off her.
Gabriel's father toasted to them, spoke of the number of years they had waited for that union. He asked them when the wedding would be and Gabriel, without hesitation, said it would be in six weeks. He could have it the very next day but he needed to practise patience.
Asia looked around. She needed David. She knew her sister would strike. She needed to act fast. Her shoulder was tapped. David!
Asia shrieked and fell into David's arms. He laughed, lifted her and tossed her round. Just a week and it felt like forever. They had so much to tell each other.
The moment David put Asia down, he planted a kiss on her cheek and she pulled him away. They walk fast, looking around for a room. They finally found one and disappeared into it. Asia took off her shoes and looked up at David. He smiled.
"Have you had sex? Did you orgasm?" he was there to tease her.
"No. And if you don't get hold of Violet, this will not get that far. She is no longer pregnant and will go for Gabriel," Asia breathed fast.
"I am not getting involved," David said, raised his hands. Asia punched him on the gut.
"You owe me. Ask her out. I will not let her sabotage me," Asia grabbed David's neck.
"You have to produce the heir. Have that sex tonight, get pregnant. If Violet wants the same, I will sterilize her. She is not worthy to carry this family's heir," he said, cursed.
"You do that. If it doesn't work, she will have left us no choice," Asia said, looked up at David.
"You know I got your back, Asia. All the way. I love you," David said, kissed Asia's cheek.
"How is our friend?" she asked, breathed.
"I was about to end it but you just had to jump in and invite him to dinner now he thinks we are serious!" Seriously?
Asia suppressed a laugh for a second then just erupted. The two left that room happily. David would handle Violet within a week. He was smart. He knew her well. He, like Asia, knew she had to be dealt with. She was a gold digger with no loyalty.
While they walked, Asia's hand on David's arm, they saw Violet sneak into some room. It was the gents. The two looked at each other and went in after her.
Violet was a trouble magnet and had to be monitored. Violet had gone in after Gabriel. She wanted to take her sister's place. Since she had left the door slightly open, Asia and David stood there and listened for a minute. David pushed the door open. Violet could see them but Gabriel had his back to them.
"This is the last time we hold this conversation. I marry your sister and no one else," Gabriel said firmly.
As Gabriel made to leave, Violet grabbed his collar and kissed him, wrapping her arms firmly round his neck. If Gabriel wouldn't leave Asia, Asia would leave Gabriel. Asia turned to leave as Gabriel violently pushed Violet. She landed on her butt.
David grabbed Asia firmly. He wouldn't let her leave, not like that. To David, Gabriel was not just a brother, he was a good person. The union would work.
Gabriel noticed them and cursed. He rushed to Asia, held her hands and pulled her into an embrace. David helped Violet up, held her hand and asked to have a word so the two left.
"Let me kiss you, beautiful," he gently stroked Asia's cheek.
"Why? You already kissed my sister!" Asia fought tears.
Gabriel held Asia tightly and felt her break down. She cried. He rubbed her back and said over and over that Violet staged that. That wasn't why Asia was crying. Violet was cleaver and had their mother's blessing.
Maybe it was time for Violet to take Asia's place and marry a Mara. Asia had a stable life before all these. Violet had no life out of marrying a Mara.
Gabriel felt his heart break. He held Asia's shoulders and looked her in the eye. She looked away and made to leave. He pulled her back roughly and held her waist. She whispered. They needed to get back to their party.
People were merry. Gabriel held on to Asia. They had dinner and tried different types of cake. He had his attention solidly on her and saw her relax after a long while. She smiled as he kissed her hand then the grandfather asked to talk to them. They stepped aside together.
"On Monday, you begin the marriage process. You leave the military in a month and get active in running the business. Asia, focus on being a wife and a mother. You should be pregnant already." He smiled. "I want to see the baby my best friend and I promised before I join him. Do not keep me waiting." He smiled.
Gabriel and Asia danced. They ended up having fun. Asia drank quite a few cocktails. It was David that pointed out that she had had a little too much.
Asia rested her head on Gabriel's shoulder and moved to the beats. When he asked if she was tired, she nodded and asked to leave. Gabriel held her shoulder and took her to his family home. She had never spent a night there.